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A Journey of a Thousand Mile Begins with a single Step: Djibouti’s Experience in Strengthening Migration and Displacement Data Governance
Secondary GCM Objectives
Dates
Summary
Migration has emerged as a global phenomenon of significant concern to states and development actors, as reflected in Objective 1 of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, which emphasizes the need for accurate, disaggregated data for evidence-based policies. The African Union's Migration Policy Framework (AU-MPFA) and IGAD's Regional Migration Policy Framework (IRMPF) also underscore the importance of managing and harmonizing migration data. Djibouti, located in the conflict-prone Horn of Africa, serves as a key transit country for migrants. Despite its stability, the country hosts around 30,000 refugees, primarily from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Yemen, in camps outside the capital. Migration flows are influenced by factors like conflict, political oppression, and environmental challenges. The country has seen economic growth, with GDP per capita increasing significantly, making it a key economic hub.
To leverage the potential of migration for development, Djibouti established a National Coordination Office for Migration in 2019 that aims to propose appropriate measures and strategies, including a national migration strategy, to manage migration effectively. However, the country faced challenges due to limited migration data. In order to improve the use and comparability of migration and displacement data, and with the aim of strengthening the capacities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to produce quality, harmonized and updated data and to develop related statistical reports, the Institute of Statistics of Djibouti established in 2020 a Technical Working Group (TWG) with the support of IOM. The main objectives of the TWG on Migration and Displacement Data include mapping existing data, developing a policy framework for data harmonization, facilitating inter-institutional dialogue, and supporting capacity building in data collection and analysis. Placed under the authority of the National Coordination Office on Migration, with INSTAD as its Technical Secretariat, the TWG is comprised of representatives from various Ministries, Departments, Agencies, as well as international Organizations.
Organizations
Main Implementing Organization(s)
Partner/Donor Organizations
Benefit and Impact
Several meetings of the TWG were held which were instrumental in successfully identifying data gaps as well as needs for harmonizing data collection practices. This has led to a more coordinated approach among ministries and international organizations, enhancing the overall governance of migration in Djibouti.
The impacts of these practices were measured through improved data availability and the quality of policies developed, including the implementation of the 3rd Population and Housing Census of Djibouti (RGPH-3) with the strong implication of the members of the TWG. The detailed migration data generated through the census will help design targeted interventions for years to come, addressing the specific needs of migrant communities.
The positive secondary benefits include the strengthening of institutional capacities and the fostering of inter-agency cooperation, which can be applied to other sectors. Additionally, the practices and frameworks developed are adaptable to other contexts, offering a model for other countries in the region facing similar migration challenges.
This initiative is set to continue in the near future, ensuring sustainability. The institutional structures and partnerships established provide a foundation for ongoing support and development, ensuring that the rights and wellbeing of migrants and communities continue to be prioritized in Djibouti.
Key Lessons
This was addressed by organizing several coordination meetings of the TWG which acted as a platform for discussions, the exchange of good practices and a way to foster national dialogue. Clear roles and responsibilities were defined, and communication channels were streamlined to ensure efficient information flow.
Another challenge encountered was the lack of comprehensive and consistent migration data, definitions and methodologies. Existing data were often fragmented, outdated, or not disaggregated adequately, hindering the formulation of effective policies.
There were also important resource constraints in terms of funding and human capacity at the national level.
To overcome these issues, INSTAD with the support of IOM and other development partners prioritized capacity-building workshops and initiatives for national institutions on data collection and management. Partnerships with international organizations like IOM and the World Bank provided technical expertise and support.
One of our biggest strengths was leveraging international cooperation to supplement local resources. The involvement of multi-stakeholder organizations helped in pooling resources and sharing responsibilities, which mitigated the impact of resource constraints.
We also conducted several assessments of existing data sources and resources for a more targeted approach in addressing these challenges from the start.
Additionally, we established a continuous and regular monitoring and evaluation exercises to assess the progress and effectiveness of the implemented strategies and activities and the recommendations and feedback from these evaluations were used to refine our practices and address any emerging challenges promptly. Lessons learned were also documented and shared with all stakeholders, ensuring that best practices and insights are incorporated into future projects.
Finally, a strong and enduing commitment to ongoing capacity-building and the institutionalization of good data management practices are key to ensuring that the benefits and lessons learned will be sustained and applied to future initiatives.
Recommendations(if the practice is to be replicated)
- Ensure high-level commitment from the NSO which is crucial for the success of such initiatives.
- Involve all key stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, civil society, and local communities from the beginning to insure their buy-in and full cooperation.
- Define clear objectives and roles for all stakeholders. This helps in aligning efforts and avoiding overlaps or gaps in responsibilities.
- Invest in capacity building both within the NSO as well as for national institutions and stakeholders on data collection, management, and analysis. This ensures that the project can be sustained and effectively managed locally.
- Secure sufficient funding and human resources and don’t be afraid to engage proactively with international organizations and partners to seek advice, partnerships and supplement local resources.
- Conduct a thorough needs assessment to identify data gaps, resource limitations, and stakeholder needs. This informs the design of such initiatives and helps in setting realistic goals.
- Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework and regularly assess progress and make adjustments as needed. Use feedback to improve practices continuously.
- Document processes, challenges, and successes and share these insights with all stakeholders and use them to inform future projects.
- Be mindful of the local context and cultural sensitivities and adopt tailored approaches to fit the specific socio-political environment of the region.
- Be prepared to adapt plans based on the evolving situation. Flexibility is key to addressing unforeseen challenges and leveraging new opportunities.
- Maintain ongoing engagement with all stakeholders. Regular communication and feedback mechanisms ensure that everyone remains aligned and invested in the project’s success.
- Begin with smaller steps to test methodologies and approaches and use the findings to scale it up gradually.
- Build strong partnerships with international organizations, academic institutions, and other countries with successful migration data management practices and don’t be shy to learn from their experiences.
Innovation
The establishment of a Technical Working Group involving diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and civil society, is an innovative model for collaborative governance. It facilitates cross-sectoral dialogue and cooperation, ensuring a comprehensive and better understanding of migration dynamics.
The initiative has catalyzed further cooperation within the IGAD region, encouraging other member states to adopt similar data management and migration governance practices.
It has also inspired related initiatives, such as capacity-building workshops and regional meetings to share our practice.
Furthermore, the success of the initiative has led to the development of new policy initiatives, such as the National Migration Strategy, enhancing the country’s overall approach to migration management.
The focus on building local capacity and institutional strengthening ensures that the impacts of the practice are sustainable. The skills and knowledge acquired by local stakeholders enable continuous improvement and adaptation of migration management practices.
This practice is easily scalable and can be adapted and replicated in other countries or regions facing similar challenges in migration data management and governance.
The flexible and adaptable nature of the framework makes it suitable for different socio-political contexts, allowing for customization based on specific needs and conditions. The sustainable impacts and potential for replication underscore the value of this practice in enhancing migration governance and data management on a broader scale.
Additional Resources
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Disclaimer: The content of this practice reflects the views of the implementers and does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations, the United Nations Network on Migration, and its members.
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*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
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